THE NEWS-ENTERPRISE SPORTS SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012 B5 NFL Four rookie QBs could open season as starters By RICHARD ROSENBLATT they’ve gotten so much better Trophy-winning Griffin replace at some point to have an impact “I wasn’t concerned about his AP Sports Writer over the years,” said NFL draft the wildly inconsistent Rex on the team and help us win age,” Browns coach Pat Shurmur consultant Gil Brandt, the former Grossman. games and championships. That’s said of Weeden, who spent five NEW YORK — Cam Newton Dallas Cowboys general manag- Tannehill was the No. 8 overall the expectation.” years in baseball’s minor leagues and Andy Dalton were the only er. pick by the Dolphins, who have Brandt called the 6-foot-4, 222- before returning to football. “I rookie quarterbacks to start every And, of course, NFL teams gone through 16 starting quarter- pounder the “real deal.” was impressed with his maturity game last season. This year, four covet franchise quarterbacks and backs since Dan Marino retired in “He’s everything you want. and production on tape. We be- rookies have a chance to do the will do just about anything to lock 1999. It sure seems like a good Smart, accurate, has speed, and came very fond of him.” same thing. one up for a decade or so. match because his coach at Texas good feet,” he added. “The only Seven other quarterbacks were Start with Andrew Luck for Luck and RGIII appear to fit A&M, Mike Sherman, is Miami’s knock on him is that he hasn’t chosen: Brock Osweiler by Indianapolis and Robert Griffin the bill. Luck was the No.1 pick offensive coordinator under new played a lot. But here’s how good Denver in the second round; III for Washington, toss in Ryan Thursday night, and Colts owner coach Joe Philbin. Even though he is: He is the only quarterback Russell Wilson by Seattle and Tannehill for Miami and Brandon Jim Irsay envisions the Stanford he started only 19 games in col- to beat Oklahoma, Nebraska and Nick Foles by Philadelphia in the Weeden for Cleveland, and star following in the footsteps of lege, the wide receiver-turned- Texas in the same year, and did it third; Kirk Cousins by Washing- you’ve got a quartet of quarter- four-time NFL MVP Peyton quarterback wasn’t picked to sit over a six-game span.” ton in the fourth; Ryan Lindley backs drafted with immediate Manning, now with Denver. behind Matt Moore — or anyone In Cleveland, all indications by Arizona in the sixth; B.J. starter potential. “I think it is really fortunate else. are the 28-year-old Weeden from Coleman by Green Bay and Dating back to 1950, it would that we get to put the piece in “I didn’t take him with the Oklahoma State is in and Colt Chandler Harnisch by Indiana- be the first time four rookie quar- place now and build around the eighth pick in the draft for him to McCoy is out after a season in polis in the seventh. terbacks start their team’s first franchise quarterback,” Irsay said. be a backup quarterback,” which the Browns ranked 30th in Harnisch was Mr. Irrelevant, game, according to STATS LLC. The Redskins gave up three Dolphins general manager Jeff scoring, averaging 13.6 points per the last player chosen, as the Colts “Quarterbacks are learning first-round picks and a second- Ireland said. “I picked him to be a game. Weeden was the No. 22 began and concluded the draft earlier, learning faster, and rounder to have Heisman starting quarterback in this league overall pick. with quarterbacks.

MILLER: enjoys the program’s storied history. blessed.” But Miller sacrificed this sea- When asked about Miller’s ‘supportive fans’ son, coming off the bench for a legacy during the NCAA majority. With talented freshmen Tournament, Kentucky coach Continued from B1 like , Michael summed it up with Kidd-Gilchrist and Marquis this: “Has won a ton of games. Is “It’s been a lot of fun,” Miller Teague and sophomores like going to graduate. Is Kentucky’s said of the signing events. Prior and Terrence own. They love him. He’s to the Elizabethtown signing, he Jones, Miller took on a different was in Central City on Saturday. beloved. Fifty years from now, role, but none less important to they’re going to be talking about “It’s fun to interact with the fans. Kentucky’s success. I’ve enjoyed it a lot going around him.” Miller, though, was the glue to the state and meeting the fans. Miller is proud of what he ac- this team. He helped his young “I have a lot of fun with it,” he complished at Kentucky, but added. “They supported me my teammate find their classes, guid- now he has an eye on the future. entire career, so this is a chance ed them through workouts, lis- Miller, who played for the to give back to them. I like to talk tened to their problems and dis- United States in the World pensed advice. On the court, he to them and hear their stories be- University Games held in China supplied the same type of leader- cause they have a lot to offer. last year, is projected as an early ship to help the Wildcats cut This is fun because of all the sup- second-round pick in mock NBA down the nets in New Orleans. port they’ve given me.” drafts. If Miller is chosen in the Miller helped Kentucky to its “It did (sink in),” Miller said. “But I don’t know how to de- first round, he would be the first eighth NCAA championship this Kentucky senior to be taken in season. He averaged 9.9 points scribe it. It felt amazing to win CHUCK JONES/The News-Enterprise the first round since Tayshaun and 2.8 rebounds and he was the championship. All the hard Former men’s player holds a work we put in paid off. It was baby after taking a picture with him Saturday afternoon in Elizabethtown Prince in 2002. second on the team in assists during an appearance at Towne Mall’s center stage. with 82. The four-year player just amazing.” “I’m going through a lot of scored 1,248 points in his career Miller is believed to be the Most Valuable player when he said. “I’ve been blessed with op- workouts and putting in a lot of to go along with 489 rebounds, first player in the state to win a led Mason County to the 2008 portunities. I’ve been able to do hard work,” Miller said. “I’m try- 278 assists, 114 steals and 100 state championship, be named state championship, the same something in this state that no ing to do everything I can, and blocks. Miller played in 152 Mr. Basketball and then win a year he earned Mr. Basketball one has done. It’s meant a lot to hopefully, everything goes well.” games – including 82 starts – at national title at Kentucky. Miller honors. me to be able to accomplish the Chuck Jones can be reached Kentucky, which is the most in was selected the Sweet Sixteen “It’s hard to believe,” Miller things I have. I feel very at (270) 505-1759

KIDD-GILCHRIST: ing three years of his eligibility two family members who have with the Wildcats. service experience. Edward savoring UK moments “No, I never get tired of Washington is retired military, them,” said Kidd-Gilchrist, who while Andrea is in human re- Continued from B1 signed everything from Final sources, hence the reason she Four and SEC Tournament pass- needed to stop by nearby Fort Kidd-Gilchrist held 3-year- es and tickets to newspapers, Knox. olds Hudson and Sawyer Tingle, photos, game-day programs, bas- “We were already supposed to the twin sons of Bardstown cou- ketballs, shirts, shoes and even be in the area, so with all of this ple Allyson and Jason Tingle, for baby bibs Saturday. “It’s still ex- taking place, it’s been a blessing different photos after adding his citing for me and I guess I’m go- that timing all worked out,” said John Hancock to a slew of previ- Edward Washington. ous Kentucky stars on a painting ing to be a role model now.” Edward Washington said he owned by 49-year-old Elizabeth- While many former Kentucky town father Darryl Foster and players have appeared at the was able to catch his nephew 28-year-old daughter Kelly Mil- mall over the years, Kidd- play Georgia at , ler of Elizabethtown. Their paint- Gilchrist’s signing was unique take on Auburn in Alabama and ing also includes the autographs because he offered the first 100 play in the SEC Tournament in of Dan Issel, , Jeff service members in attendance a New Orleans. Once some fans Sheppard, Cameron Mills, Tony free photo and autograph. found out the Washingtons’ ties Delk, Kyle Macy and Anthony “I wanted to give back to oth- to Kidd-Gilchrist, even they Davis – who signed it during his ers,” Kidd-Gilchrist said. were asked to pose for photos. appearance the previous week at His aunt Andrea and uncle “All of this has been exciting Towne Mall. Edward Washington – who have for the family,” said Edward The Towne Mall appearance been staying at Fort Knox’s Washington. “We’re all so happy was just one of several Kidd- Newgarden Tower since early for him. Everything seems to be NATHANIEL BRYAN/The News-Enterprise on its way up for Michael.” Former University of Kentucky men’s basketball player Michael Kidd- Gilchrist has done since an- April and will be there for two Gilchrist signs a shirt for a fan Saturday afternoon in Elizabethtown during nouncing his intentions earlier more weeks before departing for Nathaniel Bryan can be reached an appearance at Towne Mall’s center stage. this month to forgo the remain- their home base in Japan – are at (270) 505-1758

LAMB: focused on the ing sophomore forward Terrence vault himself into the top 20. Jones, freshman forward “I’ve heard they be saying I’d draft, not rumors , Kidd-Gilchrist go in the top 20, but I can’t listen and Davis. Seniors Darius Miller to rumors. I’ve got to keep work- Continued from B1 (guard), a projected draft pick, ing hard, just trying to go lottery. and Eloy Vargas (forward) also Just getting in shape really, get- resident, who was joined by her had their careers end. ting my jumpshot ready for the two T.K. Stone seventh-grade Lamb averaged 13.7 points, workouts and getting my condi- friends – 13-year-old Brittany along with 2.7 rebounds and 1.5 tioning up,” he said. “They said I Swiney and 12-year-old Lily assists per game, this season – could play the one or two in the Bowman – later in the afternoon. helping Kentucky record its NBA if I shoot the ball very well “We watched the mall-walkers, eighth national title as the and can make plays for other walked around, ate suckers, did a Wildcats defeated Kansas, 67-59 players. I can be a great defend- little shopping and did a little in the April 2 NCAA champi- homework, too.” er if I get really strong.” So it was partially an educa- onship game. It also marked the U.S. Army Specialist Matt- tional experience. first title for coach John Calipari. hew Crooks, from Brownsburg, Lamb signed autographs for Lamb said Calipari told them Ind., didn’t arrive as early as several hundred Kentucky fans, this year was about playing to- Adkisson’s group. But he still including the second of what gether and that’s what happened managed to be one of the first 20 Adkisson hopes will be five play- in the championship game. people in line. ers to sign a gray UK hat and “He just told us that if we play Crooks has been stationed at JOHN GROTH/The News-Enterprise two Kentucky . She together, we’ve got a group of Fort Knox’s Wounded Warrior Andrew Morgan, a 16-year-old Radcliff resident, gives former University of had freshman and NCAA guys we can win every game this Unit the last four months and got Kentucky guard Doron Lamb a basketball to sign during his autograph Tournament Most Valuable season,” Lamb said. “We fell off work early, arriving at the session at Towne Mall in Elizabethtown. Player Anthony Davis sign them short in two games, but we won mall just past 1 p.m. were later joined by Schultz and something he can appreciate,” last weekend in Elizabethtown the national championship and Before he met his girlfriend, her 3-year-old son Gabriel. They Crooks said. “Obviously, his that’s what matters.” Elizabethtown resident Ashley and will travel to Louisville to- wanted to get a basketball signed mom is a diehard Kentucky fan day to get freshman forward Now, Lamb is focused on Schultz, Crooks was an Indiana by each of the Kentucky players too, and she’s going to appreci- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist’s signa- preparing for the draft. Some University fan. But she turned ture. draft boards, like ESPN.com, him into a Kentucky one. who had declared for the draft as ate it and teach him exactly what Lamb was one of five have him projected as a late first- Crooks and his girlfriend’s a keepsake for Gabriel. that is.” Wildcats’ starters who declared round or early second-round mother, Tobi Sharp, spent the af- “When he gets older you John Groth can be reached April 18 for the NBA draft – join- pick. But Lamb hopes he can ternoon in line together and know, when he gets older it’s at (270) 505-1754